Design and optimization tools for high-efficiency three-phase induction motors

An Expert System (ES) for the analysis and design optimization of low-power, three-phase induction motors (IMs) is presented. The ES is based on analytical models, which are carefully selected from literature, and coupled together to calculate motor performance characteristics. These performance characteristics are computed within a few seconds. Also, validation of the ES calculation results against measurements on four test motors shows that the analysis results are reasonably accurate. Additionally, the ES is applied to redesign a case study motor and a prototype of the new design is realized. The theoretical design results are validated against measurement performed on the prototype. This validation shows that the design optimization works, though a more accurate description of the lamination material B(H) characteristic is desirable to improve the accuracy of the ES.